Black Country type
Alright, listen up, folks! Black Country Type is an absolute gem of a photography project, helmed by the super-talented artist Tom Hicks. If you have been anywhere near Instagram, you’ve more than likely stumbled upon his work under the handle @blackcountrytype, and if not, you’re welcome! Through his lens, Tom brings the Black Country and surrounding areas to life with shots of quirky signage, handmade lettering and the kind of old school typography that makes design virtuosos go weak at the knees!
Like many, we first discovered Tom, or BCT as he's known, on Instagram. We were obsessed, watching him share the Black Country every Saturday morning. Fast forward to May 2023, we had to have Tom's work on the walls of Seventh Circle.
But for a sec, let’s rewind to where it all began for Tom, in Spring 2017. Tom, a proud Black Country native, a writer, photographer, curator, and academic librarian by day, came across two shops with vintage signs straight out of the Fifties. Those buildings are long gone now, but Tom saved a piece of it, a massive cobblers shop sign that now hangs out in his garden. Not bad for a keepsake, right? From then on, Black Country type became his way of combining two things he was passionate about: design and story telling, Tom is a fantastic storyteller. Armed with a love for words and the knack for spotting the extraordinary in the everyday, Tom began exploring areas such as Dudley, Walsall and Sandwell. He snapped photos of fading shopfronts with characterful doors, hand painted signs and architectural that exuded the personality and charm of the region. His Instagram quickly turned into a treasure trove of local history, documenting the areas industrial decline, disappearing high streets and the marks left behind by the people who lived there all with his signature blue skies and uplifting and optimistic colour palette.
So, how does he find these scenes? Trade secret… Tom cycles everywhere. Forget cars or walking, on a bike, he can cover miles of ground, veer off into unexpected spots, and discover the kind of hidden treasures you’d miss otherwise. Tom does admit, some of his best finds happen when he is lost. Honestly, we think there is nothing cooler than stumbling across a piece of forgotten history while you’re out exploring.
Tom’s work doesn’t just capture pretty pictures, it tells stories. Locals see his photos and get hit with a wave of nostalgia. They remember the shops, cafés, or factories from back in the day. But it’s not just the Black Country crew taking notice. Designers, photographers, and architecture fans across the board are hooked. And for good reason, Tom’s work isn’t just about the past; it’s about how these places still shape the present.
Bottom line: Tom Hicks is doing something special. He’s turning the everyday into art, celebrating the Black Country in all its gritty, funny, and bostin’ glory. Whether you’re a typography enthusiast or just someone who loves a good story, his work is worth your time. So go ahead, check him out, you can thank us later.
